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New QNX® Momentics® Development Suite Simplifies Embedded Programming

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, Chicago, June 4, 2002 - Embedded developers can now eliminate time-consuming programming tasks and tackle multi-language, multi-processor projects with ease, thanks to the new QNX® Momentics® development suite, released today by QNX Software Systems. Designed for creating applications that take full advantage of the highly reliable QNX® Neutrino® RTOS, QNX Momentics offers a comprehensive, yet tightly integrated toolset for embedded development - everything from sophisticated wizards for getting a project started to performance analysis tools for optimizing the final product.

The launch of the QNX Momentics development suite follows a rigorous beta program involving more than 130 customers and partners, including participation from Cisco, Delphi, Motorola, and NASA.

Ease of Use through Unparalleled IntegrationQNX Momentics is remarkably easy to learn since all of the tools in its IDE - even third-party tools - share the same user interface. Unlike other IDEs, there is no need to learn a different look-and-feel for every tool that is plugged in. Moreover, tools in the IDE work in concert to eliminate tedious programming tasks. For instance, when the memory analysis tool displays an allocation error, the developer can simply click on the error and the IDE will immediately switch to the debugger. And because all tools can share the same, integrated view, navigation is easy - developers never have to wade through an array of open windows to find the tool they want.

QNX Momentics also offers tight integration with the QNX Neutrino RTOS. Tools are fully "aware" of the QNX Neutrino RTOS running on the embedded target, making it much easier to debug executables, generating target images, and fine-tuning applications.

A Comprehensive Tool SuiteQNX Momentics comes in two editions: Professional and Standard. QNX Momentics Professional Edition includes the following tools:

C, C++, Embedded C++, and Java code developer tools - These include:

Wizards to jump-start new projects - Can automatically populate the project source code, build directories and all relevant files, and compile the project.

Source debugger tool - Can debug multiple processes simultaneously, even if the processes are written in multiple languages and distributed across multiple CPUs. The debugger can also perform post-mortem analysis of core dump files and dynamically attach to any running process.

Profiler tool - Shows at a glance where a process spends its time, allowing the developer to quickly pinpoint inefficient code and algorithms. Can work with instrumented code to analyze CPU usage right down to the source-line level.

System builder tool - Allows the developer to build bootable and embedded flash images simply by clicking on components. Also helps minimize a system's memory footprint by allowing the developer to remove unnecessary functionality from shared libraries.

Target information tool - For monitoring remote targets, both in the lab and in the field. The developer can see which programs are active, determine what program arguments are involved, and monitor both CPU and memory usage - for the system at large or for a particular program.

Target agent tool - Allows the target navigator running on a host to communicate with one or many target systems. Supports communication over Ethernet, serial, JTAG, or a ROMulator.

Version control tools - Developers can choose from the tools included with QNX Momentics or plug in third-party tools based on Eclipse, such as Rational ClearCase.

System analysis toolkit - For pinpoint timing conflicts, logic flaws, hardware faults, and other performance-degrading hotspots. Includes an instrumented kernel to capture the interactions of all components in the target system.

Board support packages (BSPs) - For popular boards based on x86, PowerPC, MIPS, SH-4, ARM, StrongARM, and XScale cores. Each BSP includes program binaries and working source code for start-up components and device drivers.

QNX Photon application builder (PhABTM) tool - Code-generating tool that lets developers create complete, working user interfaces - without having to write a line of code. Includes a rich palette of easy-to-customize user controls and a language editor that lets a single application binary support multiple international languages.

Developers can also choose to plug in third-party tools based on the popular Eclipse framework - the new tools will not only interoperate with existing tools, but share the same intuitive user interface. That is because the IDE for QNX Momentics is itself based on Eclipse, an open platform expressly designed to simplify tool-to-tool integration.

"Conventional RTOSs impose a double constraint on embedded development - a proprietary tools environment and a proprietary API. Together, these hamper tool integration, make porting difficult, and serve to `lock in' the customer," said Alec Saunders, QNX vice president of marketing. "QNX Momentics, on the other hand, puts control back in the hands of the developers by providing both an open, standards-based IDE and a standards-based POSIX RTOS. Development teams not only gain more control over which tools they can use, but gain access to a much larger pool of programming expertise."

QNX® Momentics® Standard EditionFor customers who need a basic development environment, QNX Software Systems has also released QNX Momentics Standard Edition. It allows developers to complete simpler embedded projects cost-effectively through a standard command-line GNU toolchain and support for key reference boards.

Pricing and AvailabilityQNX Momentics Professional Edition is priced at $8,695 while QNX Momentics Standard Edition is $4,295. Volume licensing is available.

About QNX Software SystemsFounded in 1980, QNX Software Systems is the industry leader in realtime, microkernel OS technology. The inherent reliability, scalable architecture, and small memory footprint of the QNX Neutrino RTOS make it the most trusted foundation for applications in the networking, automotive, industrial, and smart device markets. Customers worldwide like Cisco, Delphi, Siemens, Alcatel, Sony, Texaco, and Ford already depend on QNX technology for network routers, medical devices, intelligent transportation systems, safety and security systems, next-generation robotics, and other mission-critical applications. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, QNX Software Systems maintains offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, and distributes its products in more than 100 countries worldwide. Visit http://www.qnx.com.